Theoretical modeling and simulation are two common approaches to the study of land use change. While theoretical models are often limited by the simplicity in their assumptions, simulations are mostly low in generalization due to their specificity in applications. The integration of these two approaches will thus help us to model more closely the reality by having a firm theoretical foundation for real-life simulation. In the present research, a theory-based cellular automata (CA) simulation is proposed to simulate the changes of land uses. The land use change generally involves urban development and urban redevelopment processes. Rent gap theory is selected as the theoretical model to describe the mechanism of urban redevelopment. On the other hand, relevant conditions related to urban development are incorporated into the simulation of new development because rent gap theory is inadequate in accounting for all mechanisms that are working together to shape the pattern of land use change. In order to perform CA simulation under random fluctuation in time, stochastic formulation of the rent gap theory is first made in the form of a build up value equation to seek for the time of appearance of rent gap. The time of urban redevelopment depends on the appearance of rent gap while the time of urban development depends on the conditions of local characteristics and government policy. To substantiate the theoretical arguments, the land use change of Hong Kong in the period of 1966--2001 is selected as a case study. For the pattern of future development of Hong Kong, the simulation is carried out up to 2016. It also serves as a basis for the evaluation of the integrative utilization of a theoretical model and a simulation method. This research demonstrates that the appropriate integration of a theoretical model and a simulation method is beneficial to the study of land use change. / Tsang Shun Wai. / "July 2007." / Advisers: Yee Leung; Tung Fung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-01, Section: A, page: 0334. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-241). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.